Musical potty chair

ABSTRACT

A musical potty chair comprising a chair member having a central opening in its seat below which a potty receptacle is removably received and wherein a mechanical, electrically-energized music making device plays a tune upon a child first being seated or seating himself upon the chair and thereafter liminating body waste into the potty receptacle, is described. The energizing circuit for the music device has a first normally open-circuited electrical switch mounted in a leg of the chair and adapted to be closed-circuited by the weight of the child sitting on the chair, and a second normally open-circuited electrical switch associated with the potty receptacle when in position below the seat opening and operative to be closed-circuited in response to the added weight of body waste deposited into the potty receptacle to complete the energizing circuit to the music making device and thereby play a rewarding tune.

United States Patent Shastal l .1541 MUSICAL POTTYCHAIR [72] Inventor:John F. Shasta], 2600 S.W. 53rd Avenue, West Hollywood, Fla.

221 Filed: April 27,1971 21 AppLNo; 137,815

[52] 11.8. CI ..ll6/67, 4/134 [51] Int. Cl. ..G08b 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..4/l, 110, 134,138,112, 142;"

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,075,308 3/1937 Simonsen16/67 2,361,677 10/1944 Bramhall ..116/67 2,535,704 12/1950 Snyder et a1.-..116/67 2,766,716 10/1956 Mackey ..1 16/67 2,788,764 4/1957 l-leadlee..116/67 2,802,444 8/1957 Gilmour ...l 16/67 2,896,567 7/1959 Gilmour..1 16/67 3,020,528 2/ 1962 Swanson et a1. .;116/67 3,059,608 10/1962Lee ..116/67 3,172,390 3/1965 Garthofner ..4/1 34 1451 Sept, 19', 19723,364,478 l/l968- Dee Ward ..1 16/67 v Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell,Jr.

Attorney-Ernest H. Schmidt 57 ABSTRACT device plays a tune upon a childfirst being seated or seating himself upon the chair and thereafterliminat- .ing body waste into the potty receptacle, is described.

The energizing circuit for the music device has a first normallyopen-circuited electrical switch mounted in a leg of the chair andadapted to be closed-circuited by the weight of the child sitting on thechair, and a second normally open-circuited electrical switch associatedwith the potty receptacle when in position below the seat opening andoperative to be closed-cirv cuited in response to the added weight ofbody waste deposited into the potty receptacle to complete theenergizing circuit to the music making device and thereby play arewarding tune.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIED SEP 19 I872 v mm:

INVENTOR dO/M/ E sH/isrflL MHXM HTTORNEX fore been devised. Such musicalpotty chairs as have been devised however, are deficient in one or morerespects, principally in that no provision is made for preventingoperation of the music making device when the potty chair receptacle isaccidentally or intentionally weighted by the child in play by the useof toys or otherobjects of such size as can be placed in the receptacle.Thus, once the child has learned that he can produce the music simply byplacing toys or other ob-' jects in the potty receptacle, he is likelyto do this for his own amusement, to the annoyance and confusion of hisparents.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to obviatethe above-described deficiency of musical potty chairs heretoforedevised by requiring two steps be taken before the musical device willoperate, first the seating of a small child upon the chair, and then thedepositing of matter within the potty receptacle. Since the weight to beseated on the potty chair or within the potty receptacle must besubstantially equal to the weight of the child, it will normally bephysically impossible for the child to complete the first step otherthan by seating himself upon the chair in the position of proper use ofthe device.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a musical pottychair of the character described wherein themusical device to beactuated is in the form of an electrically-motorized mechanism, andwherein the actuating motor is battery-actuated in an energizing circuitincluding two normally open-circuited electrical switches, the first ofwhich is affixed in one leg of the potty chair to be actuated orclosed-circuited upon sufficient weight being placed upon the seat ofthe chair, and the second switch of which is actuated or close-circuitedupon a small amount of waste matter being deposited within the pottyreceptacle associated with the chair.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdenote corresponding parts throughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a musical potty chairenibodyingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral designates,generally, a musical potty chair embodying the invention, the samepreferably being constructed of wood and comprising a substantiallyrectangular seat back member l 1, rectangular seat side members 1 13, ahorizontal seat member 14 affixed laterally between said seat sidemembers in substantially central position therealong from top to bottom,and a vertical front wall member 15 enclosing the front of the chairbeneath the seat member 14. The seat member 14 is provided with acentral rounded potty opening 16, and is formed, along its front edge,with a pair of symmetrically arranged arcuate leg recesses 17 and 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 the seat back member 11, while extendingupwardly beyond the upper ends of the seat side members 12, 13,terminates at the level of the seat member 14 to provide a rectangularopening 19 at the back of the chair for the removal and replacement of apotty receptacle 20, as is hereinbelow more particularly described. Thepotty receptacle 20, which is preferably integrally formed of a toughsynthetic plastic material, has an outwardly-extending peripheral flange21 at its upper end, which flange is integrally formed with adownwardly-extending handle 22 for convenience in inserting and removingsaid potty receptacle form the chair.

As means for removably retaining the potty receptacle 20 in use positionimmediately below the chair seat opening 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3, the underside of the seat member 14 is fitted, at each side ofthe seat opening 16 and in spaced, parallel relation with I respect tothe seat side members l2, 13, with a pair of elongated guide channelmembers 23, 24 which may be of wood, said guide channel members beingprovided with opposed, longitudinally-extending recesses 25, 26,respectively. The guide channel member recesses 25,26 together withunderside portions of the chair seat member 14, define longitudinalslots so spaced from one another as to receive opposed flange portionsof the potty receptacle 20 for guiding and retaining said pottyreceptacle in use position below the seat member opening 16. Withreference to FIG. 2, it is to be noted that while the longitudinalrecess 25 in the guide channel member 23 is only of sufficient depth toreceive a flange portion of the potty receptacle 20, the longitudinalrecess 26 in the guide channel member 24 is of substantially greaterdepth to accommodate a receptacle-actuated electrical switch, as ishereinbelow more particularly described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rectangular side members 12, 13 ofthe musical potty chair 10 are provided in and along their lower endswith shallow rectangular recesses 27, 28 defining short front and backlegs 29, 30, respectively, in the chair side member 12, and front andback legs 31, 32, respectively, in the chair side member 13. Similarly,the lower end of the chair front wall member 15 is provided with ashallow rectangular recess 33.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a push button switch 34 is fittedin an opening in the underside of the back leg 32, which push buttonswitch is normally open circuited and adapted to be closed circuitedwhen sufficient weight is placed on the chair seat member 14, as ishereinbelow more particularly described.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the longitudinal recess 26 inthe guide channel member 24 is fitted with a longitudinally-extendingleaf spring switch arm 35 having a short, downwardly-bent end contactp0rtion 36. As best shown in FIG. 4, the rear end portion of the leafspring switch arm 35 is bent downwardly and 3 friction-fitted within anoblique slot 38 in the guide channel member 24 so that the opposite freeend of said spring normally is yieldingly constrained against anundersurface portion of the seat member 14. The guide channel member 24is also fitted with a rounded fixed contact member 37 disposed directlybelow the end portion 35 of the leaf spring switch arm 35 in spacedrelation with respect thereto. The leaf spring switch arm 35 and thecontact member 37 together comprise a normally open circuited switchadapted to be close circuited when said switch arm is pressed intocontact with the fixed contact member 37. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thespacing between the outer end of the leaf spring switch arm 35 and itsassociated contact member 37 is such that the switch remains opencircuited even when the potty receptacle is fitted in place between theguide channel members 23, 24 as described above, with a portion of thepotty receptacle peripheral flange 21 constrained between the undersideof the seat member 14 and the upper surface of the leaf spring switcharm 35.

' As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the push button switch 34 isconnected in series with the leaf spring switch arm 34 and a dry cell D,replaceably fitted in a connector receptacle 41 secured against theunderside of the seat member 14 in a front corner thereof, by electricalconductors 39 and 40. The remaining terminals of the dry cell D and thefixed contact member 36 are connected in series with a motorized musicmaking device 43, affixed against the underside of the seat member 14 inthe remaining front corner thereof, as by electric conductors 42 and 44.It will thus be understood that when both the push button switch 34 andthe potty-actuated switch comprising the leaf spring switch arm 35 andfixed contact member 37 are closed circuited, an energizing circuit willbe completed from the source afforded by the dry cell D to actuate theelectrically motorized music making device 43. Since the constructionand operation of such musical movements or devices are well known, beingcommonly used in music boxes and the like, a more detailed descriptionthereof is not deemed necessary.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, abutment stop members 45 and 46,preferably in the form of small wood blocks, are fixed against theunderside of the seat member 14 in such position as to limit the inwardmovement of the potty receptacle 20 when placed in position below theseat opening 16 in the manner hereinabove described by abutment withperipheral portions of the potty receptacle flange 21. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a push button switch 48, which may be identical with thepush button switch 34 but not connected in the energizing circuitry, isfitted in the back leg of the musical potty chair to provide forbalanced stability in the use of the chair, as is hereinbelow described.

Upon use of the musical potty chair, the weight of the child upon hissitting himself upon the chair will cause the push button switches 34,47 to be depressed. The depression of the electrically-connected pushbutton switch 34 closes its normally open-circuited switch to complete acircuit path between one terminal of the dry cell D and the leaf springswitch arm 25 through conductors 39 and 40. Since the switch comprisingthe leaf spring switch arm and its associated fixed contact member 37 isstill open-circuited, however, the

electrically motorized musical device 43 will not yet be energized. Assoon as the seated child has a bowel movement or passes water, the addedweight thus imparted to the potty receptacle 20 causes a slighttippingthereof against the resilient reactive force of the leaf spring switcharm 35, so that said switch arm is moved downwardly into contact withthe associated fixed contact member 37 to complete the energizationcircuit to the electrical motor M of the musical mechanism 43, whereuponit will commence operating to play any appropriate musical tune such asHow Dry I Am. Such operation not only will notify the attending parentthat the child is through with using the potty chair, but also rewardsthe child with a pleasant sounding tune for having performed properly.

It is to be noted that two steps are necessary, effected in sequence, inorder to energize the musical movement mechanism and thereby produce themusic; first the seating of the child on the potty chair and then theperformance of his duty. The spring stiffness of the push button switch34 is so chosen as to be actuated or close-circuited only upon use by achild weighing in excess of approximately l5 pounds, so that any toys orother objects that a small child could place in the ,potty receptacle 20would not close circuit said push button switch and thereby operate themusical device. The sensitivity of the leaf spring switch arm 35,moreover, is such as to be moved into closed-circuited contact with itsassociated fixed contact member 37 upon as little as an ounce in weightbeing deposited in the potty receptacle 20, to insure operation of themusical device upon use of the potty chair for the intended purpose. Itis also to be noted that as soon as the child is lifted from the chair,the push button switch 34 will automatically be returned to open-circuitcondition again to de-energize the musical device 43 and thereby stopthe playing of the musical tune.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which myinvention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to beunderstood that this embodiment is given by way of example only, and notin a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all theembodiments and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A musical potty chair comprising, in combination, a chair having aseat member with a central opening, a potty receptacle, means forremovably securing said potty receptacle beneath said seat member and inregister with said seat opening, an electrically motorized music makingdevice, a normally open-circuited energizing circuit for said musicmaking device, and means controlled by the sequential application of afirst downward force on said seat member and a second downward force onsaid potty receptacle for close-circuiting said energizing circuit andthereby operating said music making device.

2. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 1, wherein said means forremovably securing said potty receptacle comprises a pair of guidechannel members affixed in spaced parallel relation with respect to theunderside of said seat member at each side of said central opening, saidpotty receptacle having an outwardly-extending flange at its upper endopposed porsaid guide channel members.

3. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 2, wherein said guidechannel members comprise longitudinally-extending recesses along whichsaid flange portions are slidingly received.

4. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 3, wherein said means forclose-circuiting said energizing circuit comprises a first normallyopen-circuited switch in one of said longitudinal recesses.

5. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 4, wherein said chair isprovided with rear legs and wherein said energizing circuit furthercomprises a second normally open-circuited push-button switch mounted inthe underside of one of said rear legs to be operated upon weight beingapplied to said chair seat member, said first and said second normallyopen-circuited switches being connected in series in said energizingcircuit.

6. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 4, wherein said firstnormally open-circuited switch comprises a leaf spring switch arm oneend of which is fixed with respect to its associated guide channelmember r and the other end of which is resiliently biased in thedirection of the underside of said chair seat, and a fixed contactmember fixed with respect to said associated guide channel memberbeneath the outer end of said leaf spring switch arm and adapted to becontacted by said switch arm upon pressure being applied upon the uppersurface thereof.

7. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 6, wherein a flange portionof said potty receptacle is receivable between the upper surface of saidleaf spring switch arm and said underside of said chair seat member.

8. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 7, wherein said normallyopen-circuited energizing circuit further comprises a series-connecteddry cell, said dry cell and said music making device being mountedbeneath said chair seat member.

9. A musical potty chair as defined in claim 8, including a secondpush-button switch similarly mounted in the remaining back leg of saidchair to provide for balanced stability in the use of the chair.

1. A musical potty chair comprising, in combination, a chair having aseat member with a central opening, a potty receptacle, means forremovably securing said potty receptacle beneath said seat member and inregister with said seat opening, an electrically motorized music makingdevice, a normally opencircuited energizing circuit for said musicmaking device, and means controlled by the sequential application of afirst downward force on said seat member and a second downward force onsaid potty receptacle for close-circuiting said energizing circuit andthereby operating said music making device.
 2. A musical potty chair asdefined in claim 1, wherein said means for removably securing said pottyreceptacle comprises a pair of guide channel members affixed in spacedparallel relation with respect to the underside of said seat member ateach side of said central opening, said potty receptacle having anoutwardly-extending flange at its upper end opposed portions of whichare adapted to be slidingly received in said guide channel members.
 3. Amusical potty chair as defined in claim 2, wherein said guide channelmembers comprise longitudinally-extending recesses along which saidflange portions are slidingly received.
 4. A musical potty chair asdefined in claim 3, wherein said means for close-circuiting saidenergizing circuit comprises a first normally open-circuited switch inone of said longitudinal recesses.
 5. A musical potty chair as definedin claim 4, wherein said chair is provided with rear legs and whereinsaid energizing circuit further comprises a second normallyopen-circuited push-button switch mounted in the underside of one ofsaid rear legs to be operated upon weight being applied to said chairseat member, said first and said second normally open-circuited sWitchesbeing connected in series in said energizing circuit.
 6. A musical pottychair as defined in claim 4, wherein said first normally open-circuitedswitch comprises a leaf spring switch arm one end of which is fixed withrespect to its associated guide channel member and the other end ofwhich is resiliently biased in the direction of the underside of saidchair seat, and a fixed contact member fixed with respect to saidassociated guide channel member beneath the outer end of said leafspring switch arm and adapted to be contacted by said switch arm uponpressure being applied upon the upper surface thereof.
 7. A musicalpotty chair as defined in claim 6, wherein a flange portion of saidpotty receptacle is receivable between the upper surface of said leafspring switch arm and said underside of said chair seat member.
 8. Amusical potty chair as defined in claim 7, wherein said normallyopen-circuited energizing circuit further comprises a series-connecteddry cell, said dry cell and said music making device being mountedbeneath said chair seat member.
 9. A musical potty chair as defined inclaim 8, including a second push-button switch similarly mounted in theremaining back leg of said chair to provide for balanced stability inthe use of the chair.